2 Math Language Symbols
2 Math Language Symbols
Language
and Symbols
The Language, Symbols, Syntax
and Rules of Mathematics
The language of mathematics is the sytem
used by mathematicians to communicate
mathematical ideas. This language consists of of
a substrate of some natural language (e.g.,
English) using technical terms and grammatic
conventions that are peculiar to mathematical
discourse, supplemented by a highly specialized
symbolic notation for mathematical formulas.
Mathematicsas as a language has symbols to
express a formula or to represent a constant. It has
syntax to make the expression well- formed to make
the characters and symbols clear and valid that do
not violate the rules. Mathematical symbols can
designate numbers (constants), variables, operations,
functions, brackets, punctuation, and grouping to help
determine order of operations, and other aspects of
logical syntax. A mathematical concept is
independent of the symbol chosen to represent it. In
short, convention dictates the meaning.
The language of mathematics makes it easy to
express the kinds of symbols, syntax, and rules that
mathematicians like to do and characterized by the
following:
Precise (able to make very fine distinctions)
Example: The use of mathematical symbol is only
done based on its meaning and purpose. Like +
means add, - means subtract, x multiply, and ÷
means divide.
Concise (able to say things briefly)
Example: The long English sentence can be
shortened using mathematical symbols. Eight plus
two equals ten which means 8 + 2 = 10.
𝟏𝟎
5 2+3 (6 – 2) + 1 1+1+1+1+1,
𝟐
all look different, but are all just different names for the
same number.
The basic syntax for entering mathematical
formulas or expression in the system enables you to
quickly enter expressions using 2-D notation. The most
common mistake is to forget parentheses “( )”.
For example, the expression
1/(x+1)
is different from 1/x+1 which the system interprets as
(1/x) + 1.
Examples